Thread: 4T65E Hard Shift-Solution

Not yet. I was putting a 2.5 magnaflow catted X pipe onto my 1994 Mustang GT convertible exhaust which currently has BBK shorty headers and a 2.5 inch magnaflow cat back exhaust system on it already and the X pipe was the last phase of the exhaust system. I will try to get you pictures of the coolers as sson as I can. Sorry!

I am now 2,000 miles in. The van has been through plenty of all kinds of driving from around town to highway/rural highway 300 mile road trips. Much of this has been in very hot 90+ degree weather. After having the transmission act up almost every single time I drove it, it hasn't had any problem at all since installing the shift kit.

The time to install the cooler still eludes me. I just don't want to hurry it and do a hack job but I will be doing it. IMO the 2-3 shift is still a little weird sometimes, but only when hot and apparently not weird enough to trigger the code. The next time I drop the pan I'm going to put in the Transgo large 2-3 spring in place of the stock.

I'm really happy with all of this and am convinced that this is just poor GM design of this accumulator (though others might have the EPC solenoid problem).

Hi everyone, I finally have time to update my shift kit install results, I have the time because i'm on bedrest following surgery for a burst appendix and all the fun infection that happens thereafter (and I thoght the van was being a pain!). After adding the zzp shift kit, which is just a couple of dowels that limit accumulator piston travel, (cost $40 probably cost 80 cent to make!), I am happy to report no reoccuring hard shift problems, this is after 5000 miles of hard use, high temps and frequent stop starts. i was considering a mod to turn on the cooling fans earlier to reduce temps, but decided that it would be to much hassle. I am happy with this simple temporary solution. Anyone that feels disappointed with thier GM tranny should thank their lucky stars for car enthusiasts like us, that always seeks out a better way to problem solve and believe in North American made products. All you have to do is ask anyone that has owned a Honda/Acura and is stuck literally with nothing but a steep bill to pay. I cannot thank everyone enough, that takes the time out in their day to respond to people in need in these forums. Thank you!

Originally Posted by frugal

Hi everyone, I finally have time to update my shift kit install results, I have the time because i'm on bedrest following surgery for a burst appendix and all the fun infection that happens thereafter (and I thoght the van was being a pain!). After adding the zzp shift kit, which is just a couple of dowels that limit accumulator piston travel, (cost $40 probably cost 80 cent to make!), I am happy to report no reoccuring hard shift problems, this is after 5000 miles of hard use, high temps and frequent stop starts. i was considering a mod to turn on the cooling fans earlier to reduce temps, but decided that it would be to much hassle. I am happy with this simple temporary solution. Anyone that feels disappointed with thier GM tranny should thank their lucky stars for car enthusiasts like us, that always seeks out a better way to problem solve and believe in North American made products. All you have to do is ask anyone that has owned a Honda/Acura and is stuck literally with nothing but a steep bill to pay. I cannot thank everyone enough, that takes the time out in their day to respond to people in need in these forums. Thank you!

Glad to hear my solution has helped you but as I suggested above as with my installation, I would definitely put the biggest double stack cooler that you can fit in the grill-I decided on (2) 18,000 GVW double stack 3/4 inch coolers to work along with the ZZP shift kit-the coolers do all the transmission cooling-no radiator at all. Please read my comments previously at to why I went this route. Knowing what I know now and from experience, I would put in 1 double stack 1.5 inch thick cooler of about 28,000 GVW cooling to handle the trans fluid-that should work just fine. It has been blisteringly hot in NE and my setup works perfectly-almost 10,000 miles now on the changes. Since the A/C turns the fans on when used, the fans really aid with cooling the fluid when it is very hot. PM me if anyone has other questions. I still can't believe that someone like me with 30 years of working on cars as a hobby had to come up with this relatively simple solution for the 4T65E hard shift problem!! All the "experts" want you to change the PCS solenoid or rebuild the tranny for big money when the solution costs about $100 and is better for the tranny eliminating shift slippage AND keeps the fluid cooler which it should always have been!!

I have installed one small cooler, (10,000 lbs) when the van was fairly new, but am looking at installing the biggest one i can fit as well. I was even thinking about one withe a cooling fan already mounted, B&M makes one and I think another company TCI , Flex a lite ETC.

Does anyone have good step by step instructions for installing the ZZ performance shift kit, the instructions included are kind of lame, step by step pics would be really helpfull.

Have a look at this link: ClubGP Message Forum troubleshooting

In the first post is a link to an illustrated .pdf

Or you should be able to just click on this: http://home.pacbell.net/chris-5a/DIY...uid_change.pdf

yeah yeah i know its called grandprixforums.net but my 03 monte carlo ss started having the same problems two weeks ago. last sat i installed the kit and filled it with dex 6. my brother works in a dealership garage and to anyone's disbelief and to my own, they actually let me use a lift and i got the dex 6 for about 3 bucks a quart. it took about an hour to install. it took longer to try and fit the trans cooler i bought in it. its been in the mid 80's around here and my trans is running a lot better then it was. i can't say it is a perfect fix, but who am i to comlain because it only cost around 100 bucks. if you've ever changed a trans filter this is a piece of cake. if you don't want to spend 1300+ to get a new trans and would rather try to fix it for about 100 i would recommend this kit.

Like I stated previously, the weather around here has been VERY hot and the transmission still has not hardshfited once now in months of use with the ZZP towels and the 2 18,000 GVW coolers. It has been shifting perfect despite the very hot weather with the A/C running almost constantly although on a recent run at night with cooler weather and no A/C on, still no hard shift issue. There is no question that the shift kit and coolers have resolved the issue. When you look at the cost of the kit at around $30 and the double stack Long cooler for about $50 each, for me, the whole job was a little more than $100 (definitely with 1 1.5 inch double stack 28,000 GVW cooler). I don't count the Dex VI and filter since that would have to be done at some point no matter what and is a regular maintenance item either way and just insurance on any tranny regardless of this install-good insurance. My fluid has been well maintained but I plan on going back to my old transmission fluid schedule from now on with the 4T65E of about every 20,000 miles or 3 years which ever is shorter than I had been doing before the problem surfaced (please read the beginning of the thread for specifics). It appears that for everyday use the 4T65E's shortcomings are very hot running temperatures along with weak accumulator springs. Glad it worked for another poor victim of the 4T65E hard shift issue!

Pardon me for clarifying further.

Its just that I started experiencing the HardShift, or what the GM Mechanics call it as Shift Shock. They recommend that I replace the whole transmission, which is totally crazy. I told them i dont this the problem is the whole transmission just because they are lazy to look for the problem.

Well, anyway, our problem with our 2004 Chevrolet Venture (that according to most forums have this tranny as the standard model) started about 2 months ago when the following where done:

1) Re-installed the Thermostat by the Temperature sensor since this was removed 2 years ago.
2) Changed the ATF at 70,000KM, and the Transmission Filter.

They told me that the Venture normally does get the Hardshift/shiftshock after the ATF and filter gets replaced. They used, what i assumed to be a certified ATF brand.

Reading up on forums, i found that the shortterm solution would be to turn off the engine for about a minute. This method works for me everytime. BUt we do notice that the hardshift/shiftshock is happening more often than before.

We live in the Philippines, where the temperature averages at about 32C. The Temp guage would after read at the range of 90-92.5 to 100C on a hot day.

I am glad that there are forums such as these that exist for us GM consumers.

So I guess these are our problems:

Pressure Control Solenoid
Mass Airflow Sensor

That can be solved by NOT replacing the PCS and MAF sensor. But rather the installation of the 1 1.5 inch double stack 28,000 GVW cooler and the ZPP Shift Kit

May i ask for more info on the following?

What does the ZPP Shift Kit look like? Because there are the two things that came up from my browsing:

http://www.grandprixforums.net/shift_kit.php

http://www.zzperformance.com/products_img/570_1.jpg

And may i also know how to install and where in the tranny do i connect the Cooler? TRANSMISSION COOLER, 28,000 GVW, NEW: eBay Motors (item 2453082364 end time Sep-02-10 16:17:27 PDT)



Im sorry for revisiting the questions. Its just that we are so frustrated with our Minivan already because we just recently had the Driveshaft replaced, and the left lower arm, because the lowearm broke off from its welding point, thus pulling out the CVjoint. Plus countless expensive repairs like the engine electrical harness, radiator fans and aircon compressor.

Thank you so much for your assistance.

what are the inlet sizes? and do u plug the trans in and outlet one the radiator from where the thans oil originally went in and out?

Originally Posted by Piggy

what are the inlet sizes? and do u plug the trans in and outlet one the radiator from where the thans oil originally went in and out?

On My 2001 GP, the trans lines are both located on the passenger side of the radiator with the bottom metal line being the inlet line and the top line coming out of the radiator being the return line to the tranny. Just cut both lines with a tube cutter where they work their way over to the radiator to inlet/outlet side about half way across the bottom of the radiator and then use the rubber hose provided, which in my case, the Long Double Stack cooler provided to by pass the 2 OEM metal lines into and out of the radiator to go to the cooler in the grill. I don't know the diameter of the metal cooler lines but used the plastic caps that came with the Long cooler to cover the inlet/outlet ports of the cooler in shipping to cover the cut metal tranny lines into and out of the cooler that were no longer being used. Hope that helps!

Where does one happen to purchase one of these ZZ performance shift kits?

zzperformance.com ....